Time Domain Sensor Systems, Devices, and Methods Using Enhanced Nonlinear Least-Squares Curve Fitting

Abstract

A time domain sensor system operable via a set of executable instructions storable in relation to a memory device for transforming output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve fitting, involving: a time domain sensor device having a mass-spring oscillator including a frame portion and a cantilever portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the cantilever portion coupled with the frame portion; and a plurality of proximity switches having a movable portion and a fixed portion in relation to the frame portion, each proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches having at least one proximity tip, and each proximity switch configured to trigger in response to an acceleration experienced by the cantilever portion; and a processor operatively coupled with the time domain sensor device and configured to operate via the set of executable instructions for transforming the output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve fitting.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A time domain sensor system operable via a set of executable instructions storable in relation to a non-transitory memory device for transforming the output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve fitting, comprising:
 a time domain sensor device, the time domain sensor device comprising: a mass-spring oscillator, the mass-spring oscillator comprising a frame portion and a cantilever portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the cantilever portion coupled with the frame portion; and a plurality of proximity switches having a movable portion and a fixed portion in relation to the frame portion, each proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches having at least one proximity tip, and each proximity switch configured to trigger in response to an acceleration experienced by the cantilever portion; and   a processor operatively coupled with the time domain sensor device and configured to operate via the set of executable instructions for transforming the output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve fitting.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cantilever portion is coupled with the frame portion via the distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches comprises at least one proximity tip. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one proximity tip comprises a pair of proximity tips. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cantilever portion is configured to experience and sense at least three possible modes of acceleration. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least three possible modes of acceleration comprises a negative acceleration, a zero acceleration, and a positive acceleration. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cantilever portion is configured to experience and sense an acceleration if the time domain sensor device is set into resonant motion. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured by the set of executable instructions to:
 generate an electrical signal during alignment of the moving switch with the at least one fixed switch;   digitize the electrical signal into an a time stamp of the “switch/trigger” event by way of a time-to-digital converter;   relate each time stamp with each known location of each at least one fixed switch, thereby providing space-time data relating to at least one space-time coordinate set {x i , t i } corresponding to the i th  switch, wherein i=an integer;   process the space-time data via at least one numerical transformation, processing the space-time data implementable by way of at least one of software, firmware, and hardware; and   perform an enhanced nonlinear least-squares curve-fitting between space-time data and a selectable analytic function approximating a true motion of the resonant oscillation, thereby providing at least one estimated value for at least one parameter of the selectable analytic function, and thereby improving the timing information.   
     
     
         9 . A method of fabricating a time domain sensor system operable via a set of executable instructions storable in relation to a non-transitory memory device for transforming the output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve fitting, comprising:
 providing the time domain sensor system operable via a set of executable instructions for transforming the output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve-fitting, providing the time domain sensor system comprising: providing a time domain sensor device, providing the time domain sensor device comprising: providing a mass-spring oscillator, providing the mass-spring oscillator comprising providing a frame portion, and providing a cantilever portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the cantilever portion coupled with the frame portion; and providing a plurality of proximity switches having a movable portion and a fixed portion in relation to the frame portion, providing the plurality of proximity switches comprising providing each proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches with at least one proximity tip, and providing the plurality of proximity switches comprising configuring each proximity switch to trigger in response to an acceleration experienced by the cantilever portion; and   providing a processor operatively coupled with the time domain sensor device and configured to operate via the set of executable instructions for transforming the output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve fitting.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein providing the cantilever portion comprises coupling the cantilever portion with the frame portion via the distal end. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein providing each proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches comprises providing each proximity switch with at least one proximity tip. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing the at least one proximity tip comprises providing a pair of proximity tips. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein providing the cantilever portion comprises configuring the cantilever portion to experience and sense at least three possible modes of acceleration. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein providing the cantilever portion comprises configuring the cantilever portion to experience and sense a negative acceleration, a zero acceleration, and a positive acceleration. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein providing the cantilever portion comprises configuring the cantilever portion to experience and sense an acceleration if the time domain sensor device is set into resonant motion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein providing the processor comprises configuring the processor by way of the set of executable instructions to:
 generate an electrical signal during alignment of the moving switch with the at least one fixed switch;   digitize the electrical signal into an a time stamp of the “switch/trigger” event by way of a time-to-digital converter;   relate each time stamp with each known location of each at least one fixed switch, thereby providing space-time data relating to at least one space-time coordinate set {x i , t i } corresponding to the i th  switch, wherein i=an integer;   process the space-time data via at least one numerical transformation, processing the space-time data implementable by way of at least one of software, firmware, and hardware; and   perform an enhanced nonlinear least-squares curve-fitting between space-time data and a selectable analytic function approximating a true motion of the resonant oscillation, thereby providing at least one estimated value for at least one parameter of the selectable analytic function, and thereby improving the timing information.   
     
     
         17 . A method of improving timing information by way of a time domain sensor system, the method comprising:
 providing the time domain sensor system operable via a set of executable instructions for transforming the output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve-fitting, providing the time domain sensor system comprising: providing a time domain sensor device, providing the time domain sensor device comprising: providing a mass-spring oscillator, providing the mass-spring oscillator comprising providing a frame portion, and providing a cantilever portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the cantilever portion coupled with the frame portion; and providing a plurality of proximity switches having a movable portion and a fixed portion in relation to the frame portion, providing the plurality of proximity switches comprising providing each proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches with at least one proximity tip, and providing the plurality of proximity switches comprising configuring each proximity switch to trigger in response to an acceleration experienced by the cantilever portion; and providing a processor operatively coupled with the time domain sensor device and configuring the processor to operate via the set of executable instructions for transforming the output data by performing a nonlinear least-squares curve fitting;   setting the mass-spring oscillator into a resonant oscillation, thereby passing the proximal end in relation to at least one proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches during the resonant oscillation, thereby triggering the at least one proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches, whereby, if an amplitude of the resonant oscillation exceeds a predetermined threshold, the movable portion of each at least triggered switch becomes twice aligned during a single oscillation period with at least one fixed switch of the plurality of proximity switches at a plurality of distinct times, the at least one fixed switch disposed at a plurality of locations in relation to the frame portion;   generating an electrical signal during alignment of the moving switch with the at least one fixed switch;   digitizing the electrical signal into an a time stamp of the “switch/trigger” event by way of a time-to-digital converter;   relating each time stamp with each known location of each at least one fixed switch, thereby providing space-time data relating to at least one space-time coordinate set {x i , t i } corresponding to the i th  switch, wherein i=an integer;   processing the space-time data via at least one numerical transformation, processing the space-time data implementable by way of at least one of software, firmware, and hardware; and   performing an enhanced nonlinear least-squares curve-fitting between space-time data and a selectable analytic function approximating a true motion of the resonant oscillation, thereby providing at least one estimated value for at least one parameter of the selectable analytic function, and thereby improving the timing information.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein providing the cantilever portion comprises coupling the distal end with the frame portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein providing each proximity switch of the plurality of proximity switches comprises providing at least one proximity tip, and
 wherein providing at least one proximity tip comprises providing a pair of proximity tips.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 ,
 wherein setting the mass-spring oscillator into a resonant oscillation comprises setting the mass-spring oscillator into a sinusoidal oscillation,   wherein digitizing comprises providing a TDC having a clock, and   wherein processing comprises using at least one of a field-programmable gate array and/or an application-specific integrated circuit.